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Photo: David Harry / The Forecaster

City Public Works staff razed and removed the 60-year-old clubhouse at Wilkinson Park last Thursday morning. On Monday night, city councilors approved allocating $60,000 to build a new structure at the New York Avenue park.

Council approves capital spending

SOUTH PORTLAND — In a 90-minute meeting preceding a council workshop, councilors Monday approved a $3.64 million capital improvement plan for fiscal year 2014.

Funded through grants and existing fund balances, the plan sets spending for purchases including Fire Department and rescue vehicles, sidewalk repairs on Broadway between Cash Corner and Westbrook Street, and separating storm water and waste water flow beneath Elm Street to the city waste water treatment plant on Waterman Drive.

The budget also allocates $60,000 for work at Wilkinson Park on New York Avenue. On March 28, city crews tore down a 60-year-old clubhouse at the park. Parks and Recreation Director Rick Towle has about $40,000 in funding to replace the structure and improve the seven-acre park, and plans to host a community forum later this month to discuss park plans.

Councilors also approved closing streets in the area of Southern Maine Community College from 8-10 a.m. July 7 for the 5K Color Run, which is expected to attract 5,000 runners. Some proceeds from the race will benefit the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland.

— David Harry

After 90 minutes of discussion and public comment at a council workshop Monday night, councilors unanimously signalled a consensus for asking voters to approve a construction bond in November.

Formal votes are not allowed at council workshops. Any bond proposal will require a public hearing and formal council vote at another meeting.

The special workshop to discuss plans and financing was held at the request of City Manager Jim Gailey, who said efforts to gain public approval for the construction project must begin soon.

Monday's revised plans resemble the a second proposal of phased construction presented by city Finance Director Greg L'Heureux and Sebago Technics Engineer Dan Riley at a Feb. 25 council workshop. A key difference is there is no commitment on constructing 50,000 square feet of indoor parking space for city vehicles.

The new plan retains 23,500 square feet of indoor storage for some vehicles; 4,600 square feet of covered, outdoor storage space; a 24,000-square-foot service area with seven bays for city vehicles, and 9,300 square feet of office space for the Public Works, Transportation and Parks and Recreation departments.

Exterior structures include a salt shed, fueling station and vehicle wash bay, and 4,000-square-foot storage barn.

L'Heureux said $2 million of grants and reserve funds could be used to defray the bond amount. He estimates a $14 million, 20-year bond with interest at 4 percent would have a $20 million total cost.

He also proposed waiting until July 2016 to issue the bond to limit the effects on the property tax rate. L'Heureux projected the bond will add 7 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to the property tax rate in 2017 and 2 cents in 2018. With other bond debt retiring later this decade, L'Heureux estimates the property tax rate will decrease by 4 cents in 2019.

No matter the timing or price, facility plans drew criticism from Colchester Drive resident Albert DiMillo Jr., who said improvements could be done for only $3 million at the existing six-acre O'Neil Street Public Works and Transportation facility.

Gailey disputed DiMillo's office space data. He said rebuilding at O'Neil Street is impractical because of space, noise complaints from neighbors and an inconvenient site location.

The new facility would offer better quarters for Public Works crews on work breaks from clearing winter storms, and updated restrooms, a kitchen and break room, Gailey added.

Waiting three years to sell bonds prompted Councilor Melissa Linscott to ask why a bond vote was needed this year. Gailey said the preliminary tasks, such as shifting the existing transfer station and the engineering work needed to firm up bid proposals would occur before bonds are sold.

"It's not like we are not going to be doing anything at all," he said.

The last councilor swayed was newly elected Michael Pock, who was ambivalent about the need for the project during his election campaign last month. He suggested the South Portland Armory as a possible site for vehicle maintenance, but liked the new option for a new facility.